The New Hanover County Special Olympics cheerleading squad: Shining Stars. (Source: Tiffany Lesley)

WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) – Shining Stars is the name coined for the Special Olympics cheerleading squad in New Hanover County, and those athletes are just that.

Earlier this month, the team of 12 traveled over four hours to compete against teams from across North Carolina in the state finals.

This is only the second season cheerleading is offered to these athletes in New Hanover County, but you wouldn't know that from their performance.

The team showed off their hard work and brought home a silver medal.

"It's hard to express how proud we are of our team," said Special Olympics Coordinator Tiffany Lesley. "They did amazing. They gave their all and left everything they had on the mat."

According to Lesley, cheerleading is a relatively new sport in the Special Olympics North Carolina, so it's been a learning process across the state. All teams must compete at a qualifier event before being accepted into the state finals.